Visalam – CGH Earth hotel, Chettinad

Didn't expect this gem off the beaten path. We booked this hotel because we found a great price but what we got in return was exceptional service. Being the only guest at the hotel we thought we'd get the mediocre treatment with bare minimum. But we were pleasantly surprised by hospitality and the great food quality. Even though it was a set menu the food was incredibly delicious and on time. |The rooms are very spacious with an enclose bed and even more spacious ensuite. We opted for a room close to the pool and restaurant since we planned to hang around the pool most of the time. |Special mention to Shiva their leisure coordinator for arranging the tours to the near by locations and in house activities.

Our stay at Visalam Chettinad was truly outstanding and unlike any other luxury hotel experience we’ve had so far. The entire visit felt deeply rooted in Chettinad’s rich culture, cuisine, and charm, which we thoroughly enjoyed.||We were welcomed with a traditional Chettinad greeting that instantly set the tone for what turned out to be one of the most memorable stays we’ve ever had. Sowndarya at the reception, with her warm smile, made us feel at home right away. One of her colleagues then took us on a lovely tour of the property, sharing stories about the history and heritage of this grand Chettinad home. The moment we saw our room—with its charming old-world details and that unique key—we felt like we had stepped back in time into a grand Chettinad residence..||Dinner that night was magical. Set outdoors under the open sky, with soft lights and a gentle breeze, it felt like we were dining in a bygone era. The food was exceptional—every bite steeped in Chettinad flavors—and Suganya and her team made the experience even more special with their grace and attentiveness. Breakfast the next morning was equally delightful, offering us another chance to indulge in the region’s rich cuisine.||We also had lunch by the pool before heading out on a city tour arranged by Mr. Shiva, who was incredibly helpful. Unfortunately, we had to cut the tour short as our son wasn’t feeling well due to the heat. Mr. Shiva’s kindness stood out—he even went to a nearby pharmacy to get medicine for our son. We will always be grateful to him for his thoughtfulness and care.||We also loved the little touches throughout our stay—like the cooking demonstration in their kitchen and the charming morning and evening tea cart, which was run with such care and attention to detail.||The entire property exudes serenity, making it the perfect place to slow down and soak in the beauty of Chettinad.||A couple of small notes for fellow travelers: some rooms facing the main entrance can get a little noisy because of passing buses, so light sleepers might prefer rooms towards the back. Also, since the property is boutique-sized, meal orders for lunch and dinner need to be placed 2–3 hours in advance—so it helps to plan ahead.||But these are minor things compared to the overall experience. Visalam is not just a hotel; it’s a journey into Chettinad’s heart and soul. We left with full hearts and beautiful memories.

This was a delightful place worthy of a 2 night stay. Beautifully decorated, tastefully restored, with elegant touches here and there, an abundant garden and an impressively long swimming pool. A spa/sauna would be the icing on the cake. we loved the village walks and especially the ride into the local villages on e-bike. The food was some of the nicest we had, fresh and tasty. The staff were all friendly and professional. Everything shuts down from 9pm, meaning you cant get a soft drink after that time, which I wish I knew beforehand. The bedrooms were large and cool in the hot weather, and the beds very comfortable. We had a great time here and would recommend this hotel in a heartbeat.

A beautifully restored Chettiar mansion in the heart of the Chettinad region. Everything about our stay was perfect. The room was spacious and like the whole hotel, furnished with heritage items in keeping with the history of the house. We went on the walking tour through the village ,and the Peacock bike ride early in the morning. Both wonderful and illuminating. The restaurant food was delicious and we were consulted on spice level tolerance. The pool is beautiful for a relaxing swim. The tea cart in the garden is a genius idea. The hotel staff are friendly and helpful. The shop in the hotel has a range of eco friendly gifts, including the locally made soft cotton towels used in the bathrooms. |Our favourite hotel as we crossed from Kochi to Chennai.

A wonderful place to stay. Truly authentic Chettinad property. Good food. Good ambience. The heritage of the property is well maintained. Well trained and professional staff. They tend to our every need. Especially Mr.Siva was very accommodating. The rooms were spacious and comfortable. The swimming pool was clean and hygienic. Ample parking space. Quiet and a serene property to stay. Would definitely recommend.

Our stay at Visalam was just fantastic. From the moment we booked to the time we checked out the staff were extremely polite, helpful and proactive. We reached early, as our flight was an early one. We were welcomed and given our room as soon as they could. The property itself is beautiful and so well maintained. The love for keeping to the local culture and community is evident from the tour around the property to before you check in , to the beautiful Chettinad sareees worn by the ladies and the mundus by the men staff to the cooking demonstration so proudly conducted by Lakshmi. The rooms are gorgeous: spacious and spotless and very tastefully done up.The food pays tribute to the local cuisine while accommodating tastes of those who are not very familiar with it. A special shout out to the chef who so kindly heard my interest in eating Chettinad crab curry and dished it up for me! The walking tour is very enjoyable with lovely little tidbits shared by Shiva, our guide from CGH.All in all a perfect weekend, restful and peaceful in gorgeous surroundings and taken care of by excellent staff.

The hotel is a magnificent Chettinad mansion with luxurious rooms. Staff were extremely helpful and kind. We took part in their activities such as cooking demonstration and a heritage walk. Shiva was a great guide on the Glimpses of Chettinad tour. Food is tasty and made using local ingredients. A lovely stay.

Amazing place to stay. This place is really beautiful for a relaxed stay. Nestled in a village, it offers great chettinad cuisine and excelled stay. Service is too good and they pamper you well with their service and additional options to go for a village tour , cycling etc. pool is set in the open next to the restaurant and is very well maintained. Rooms are very spacious and very well maintained with great Furnitures. I would love to go again just for the tranquil environment this resort has. It also has a electric charging slot for ev charging